Abstract Detail

Ecological Section

Feltrin, Raquel [1], Scheffer, Fernanda [1], Gullo, Manoelle [1], Vilela, Daniela [2], Antonelli, Priscilla [3], Ferreira, Lucas [4], Rodrigues, Guilherme [5], Smith, Carl [6], Hughes, Steven [6], Walker, Charles [6], Burke, Bryce [6], McGee, Jervis [6], Hamel, Paul [6], Devall, Margaret [6].

Changes in the Overcup Oak Research Natural Area.

The Overcup Oak Research Natural Area (RNA) is a bottomland hardwood stand in the Delta National Forest, Mississippi, that was set aside for nonmanipulative research and education in 1943. The oldest trees in the RNA are 200-250 years old. A tornado occurred in part of the Overcup Oak RNA in 2008, providing an opportunity to observe succession in thie old growth RNA after a natural disaster, to compare the damaged and undamaged areas and to compare the present conditions to the baseline data that were collected previously. Plots were established in the damaged and undamaged areas and a survey of the trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants and down woody debris was carried out. Importance values were calculated for the dominant trees, shrubs and herbaceous vegetation. Overcup oak (Quercus lyrata), American elm (Ulmus americana), and Nuttall oak (Quercus nuttallii) are important canopy species in the RNA. Other species occurring on the site are red maple (Acer rubrum), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), and sugarberry (Celtis laevigata). There are scattered individuals of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), water hickory (Carya aquatica), possumhaw (Ilex decidua), persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), dogwood (Cornus spp.), hawthorn (Crataegus viridis), willow oak (Quercus phellos), winged elm (Ulmus crassifolia), swamp privet (Forestiera acuminata), and baldcypress (Taxodium distichum. Predominant species in the understory are greenbriars (Smilax spp.) and scattered palmetto (Sabal minor).

Broader Impacts:

Related Links:
http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/

1 - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
2 - University of Sao Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
3 - Escola Superior de Agricultura 'Luis de Queiroz', Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
4 - Universidade Federal Rural de Rio de Janeiro, Seropedica, Brazil
5 - Universidade Federal Rural, Seropedica, Brazil
6 - Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research, Stoneville, MS, 38776, USA

Keywords:
bottomland hardwoods
old growth
Succession
tornado damage.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 13
Location: Portland Room/Chase Park Plaza
Date: Monday, July 11th, 2011
Time: 3:00 PM
Number: 13007
Abstract ID:686